Countries Affected

Honduras

Like other Central American countries, coffee is very important in Honduras’ economy and history.

The coffee industry in Honduras was in its infancy at the end of the 19th century. During that time, there are numerous small coffee plantations in the country. Though the weather, soil, and conditions in the country are basically the same with other countries like Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, the problem is the country’s lack of transportation and shipment means. Therefore, coffee was only sold locally.

In 1900s, Honduras started exporting and earned 54, 510 pesos of coffee. Just when the coffee industry is about to grow, the country experienced another problem. In 1980, the farmers started seeing signs of the coffee rust disease. The outbreak caused major loss in coffee production and coffee export.

Learn about the 'Roya' (coffee rust) devastating impact as you listen to Marie from Naturalba, an Organic Coffee Producer and 'Beneficio' in Costa Rica.